Connecting with Care

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Carrie Parsons lost her job last month. Then she had to leave the home where she was living. Now she's at her parent's house Midland, working on her résumé and filling out job applications.

She turned to Project Homeless Connect on Wednesday at First United Methodist Church in Midland to look for support.

"I had to do something to find low-income housing, so I came," Parsons said. "I'm trying to get back on my feet. I never thought I'd be in these shoes."

Parsons connected with some local organizations and hopes to find another job soon, but knows it could take time.

"There will be hope, it's just going to take time," she said.

Sharon Mortensen, chairwoman of the Midland County Continuum of Care, said 28 groups offered information and services at the event. The Open Door served lunch and local churches assembled a room of personal care and winter clothing items.

"It's such a great way to have services in one place for people struggling to meet even basic needs," Mortensen said.

The last count of the homeless in Midland County found 219 people without a place to stay. An updated point-in-time survey is expected to take place Jan. 25, with organizers hoping to get a more complete picture that includes families with children.

"We're interested to see how that goes, if it's similar to last year," Mortensen said.

She said Project Homeless Connect reached people in need, with a steady flow throughout the event.

Sally York, executive director of Midland Area Homes, said awareness of the event has grown in its three years, but word still needs to get out about housing issues in the Midland area. Homelessness and housing struggles are a growing issue in the community, York said.